about the fiscal cliff. for the first time since this drama began to play out on a very public stage, yesterday there were no substantive negotiations or conversations whatsoever, none at all. and here is what the public thinks about all this. if, in fact, the nation does go off the fiscal cliff and negative consequences ensue, by a two to one ratio, by the most recent poll, it will blame republican, not the white house. the white house knows this, believes it's in a strong position and intends to use that leverage when and if negotiations begin. for "cbs this morning," major garrett at the white house. >>> federal health officials are watching a medical crisis, an earlier-than-usual flu season. the south is already hit hard, one month earlier. three school systems in tennessee say so many teachers and students are sick, they've closed for the rest of the week. health officials also say this year' flu strain is making patients sicker than normal. the good news, this year's vaccines seem to work well against